Newly appointed Haitian culture minister Choiseul Henriquez died

By Associated Press,

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Former journalist and newly appointed Haitian Culture Minister Choiseul Henriquez has died while in Canada. His age was not immediately available.

Presidential spokesman Lucien Jura said Saturday that he didn’t know the cause of Friday’s death but that Henriquez had suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure for years.

Henriquez was tapped to serve as minister of culture and communication in October. A local radio station reported that he was never sworn in because of his health problems.

Henriquez had also served as a press secretary under former President Rene Preval.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press